SPCA shelter in Newport News improving

Since the SPCA and local governments are embroiled in a dispute over euthanizing animals, I thought I would check out the Peninsula SPCA off of J. Clyde Morris Boulevard to see how it operates.

Vicki Rowland and Denise Vaughn with the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals gave me a tour of the animal shelter, and I immediately noticed how non-offensive the facility was to the nose. Most of the shelters I've visited were pungent, so the Peninsula SPCA's extreme cleanliness was a plus.

The SPCA currently has cage space for more than 200 animals, and the nonprofit recently built an outdoor facility for dogs where employees can rotate 12 dogs at a time into spacious cages, allowing the animals to stretch and run. The shelter also built a roof over the outdoor shelter to protect the dogs from the elements.

In the cat room, some of the felines can roam to play on the cat condos in the room's center. While there were only six staying at the SPCA when I visited, it's currently low season for cats. Once springtime hits, the SPCA is bursting with cats, Rowland said, and unfortunately a cat has only a one in three chance of making it out of the shelter alive.

Rowland said they are advocating for the adoption of adult cats, because many don't realize the benefits of adopting an adult cat versus a kitten. To make it easier on those considering adopting a cat, the SPCA recently introduced a color-coded system called Meet Your Match. The cats are coded purple, orange or green and defined according to "lap cat" versus "active cat."

Customers are asked to fill out a survey which would match whether a purple, orange or green-coded cat is the best fit, based on the cat's personality and whether your home is more like a "library" or a "carnival."

Rowland said they hope to start a similar system with dogs later this year.

The Peninsula SPCA serves Newport News, Hampton, York County and Poquoson. .

Fur Ball

The Peninsula SPCA is hosting a "Fur Ball" from 6-11 p.m. on Feb. 4 at the Hampton Roads Convention Center in Hampton. Cost for the fundraiser is $125 per person and $75 per pet. The pets will be dressed in red bow ties and tuxedos. Guests will enjoy cocktails and dancing. Details: http://www.peninsulaspca.com or by calling 595-1399 ext. 209.

Battle of Hampton Roads

The Mariners' Museum will host the 150th anniversary of the USS Monitor and the Battle of Hampton Roads. The USS Monitor's turret is housed at the museum. The Battle of Hampton Roads weekend will be March 9-11 and will include Civil War encampments, infantry drills, cooking demonstrations, the "Ironclad Battle Quest" and other activities. Details: http://www.marinersmuseum.org.